Hey, Everybody! Welcome to Verse 3! One month down, only eleven more to go! I say that with a grin because I don’t want it to fly by. There are stressful aspects to what we’re doing here on our team because victory is labor intensive and demands focus and discipline. You can’t really cheat at your memory work. I mean, either we take the time for the constant repetition until it’s embedded underneath that skull of ours or we don’t. But, at the same time, it’s also rejuvenating, don’t you think? And fun? And, admit it, the team aspect of it is glorious.
In fact, I hope God is using this whole process to bring some of you back to life. I’m picturing all of us women like that valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37. Scattered in that broad dell of ours are skeletons of dead-tired, depleted girls from all over the United States and in at least a half dozen other countries. Thousands of us. The breath of God’s words falling on us, rattling our bones, wrapping us with new wine skins, filling our lungs, and beginning to raise us to our feet: a mighty army brandishing Swords. (Eph. 6:17) We use these swords to battle darkness and not one another. We are not Peter who, in an impulsive fury, left poor Malchus with one less ear in John 18:10. There they were, in the most critical moment in human history thus far and Jesus had to stop what He was doing and stick the man’s ear back on the side of his head. (Luke 22:51) Enough of this! Jesus commanded. The people around us who we are called to reach and serve in Christ’s name are not drawn to weapons and shredders but they are indeed drawn to courage and valiance and gracious strength. A well-trained soldier knows who his enemy is and who his enemy is not.
I’m looking forward to your verses! I am starting some memory work out of the one-chapter book of Jude today. I find this verse fascinating because the inspired penman really meant to write his audience about one thing when God sidetracked him to another. These dimensions of divine inspiration make my mind spin. I love thinking about it. Here goes mine:
Beth, Houston. Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. Jude 1:3 (ESV)
Contend for the faith. Lord, show us, teach us, equip us, fill us, and anoint us with holy affection, sound minds and doctrine to contend for the faith. Show us how to fight for our faith without wounding and scarring the people we were called to influence in the process. This can get tricky. Show us how it’s done.
I’m honored to serve you, Sisters, and to draw swords with you in this battle against the blackest darkness. Built up in Christ by the breath of the Spirit, focused and deliberate, we can be a mighty army.
OK, let’s have it. Your names, cities, verses, references, and translations.
Live and love well out there today, you hear?
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Amy from Custer, SD
1 John 4:12 NIV84
12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
Vicksburg, MS
This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
NIV
Cindy
Flemingsburg, KY
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV
Allison, Akron, OH
Psalm 18.31-32, NIV
For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
Beth R
Liberty Lake, WA
NIV
James 1:3 Because you know the know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Crystal from Blue Ridge, Texas
Joshua 1:19 – ESV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Katie Euken, Muscatine, IA
“Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking, because you were all called together in one body to have peace. Always be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 NCV
Rosalie from Cincinnati
O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; because his mercy endureth forever. Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth forever. Let the house of Aaron now say that his mercy endureth forever. Let them now that fear the Lord say that his mercy endureth forever.
Psalm 118: 1-4 KJV
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7, NIV
Melissa Droegemueller, San Antonio, TX
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Hebrews 4:16 NLT
Dawn from Jasper, Indiana
But I tell you that men will have to five account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:36-37 NIV
Sarah; Wilmington, NC
“3. Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself; how I praise you! 4. I will honor you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.”
Psalm 63:3-4 NLT
Nikki, Houston, TX
“For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.”
Galations 1:10 HCSB
Kim from Columbus, Ohio area
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgements and His ways past finding out!”
Romans 11:33 NKJV
I remain confident of this : I will see the goodness of The Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Proverbs 3:5-6 MSG
Kelly, Wingate, NC
I pray that the God of our LORD Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him. Ephesians 1:17 ESV
John 1:12 (NKJV) But as many as received HIm, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.
Sharron, Spring, Tx
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 NIV
I remain confident of this : I will see the goodness of The Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13 NIV
Ruth, Madison GA
This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.
Jer 6:15 NIV
Dallas from Charleston,SC
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”2 Cor. 12:9 NASB
Melody
Kenosha, WI
Matthew 5:6 NIV
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Jules
Kearney, NE
1 Thessalonians 16-18 NIV
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Grand Prairie, Tx
Ecclesiastes 7:20 (NIV)
There is not a righeous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.
Brenda – Jordan, MN
1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Nadine, Morton, UK
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 NIV
Jennifer, Fairfax VA
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil
so that I take part in wicked deeds
along with those who are evildoers;
do not let me eat their delicacies.”
Psalm 141:3-4 (NIV)
Trish, Saginaw, TX
Jeremiah replied, “You won’t be handed over to them if you choose to poverty the Lord. Your life will be spared, and all will go well for you.”
Jeremiah 38:20 (NLT)
Becky
Eldred, PA
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain
of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Jonna, N. Hollywood, CA
This salvation, which was first announced by The Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.. Hebrews 2:3b-4 (NIV)
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 15:8
New International Version (NIV)
2 Thessalonians 3:16-17
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
Sue M
Grand Rapids, MI
But now thus says the LROD, he who created you O, Jacob, he who formed you, O, Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1 ESV
Jennifer, West Palm Beach, FL 🙂
Luke 12:32-34, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treaure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” ESV
Mandi in Oklahoma:
And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou riseth up.
Deuteronomy 11:19 KJV
Cindy from Lusby, MD, John 1:12 (NKJV) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.
Suzanne, Centreville,VA:
“For I know the plans I have for you – this is the Lord’s declaration – plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (HCSB)
” Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me.”
Psalm 103:2. (NLT)
Celeste, Thompson’s Station, TN:
On the day I called you answered me, you made me bold and encouraged me.
Psalm 138:3 (NASB)
D’Shan, Roswell, NM
You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”
2 Chronicles 20:17 NKJV
Waco, Texas
Isaiah 45:2-3
“I will go before you and will level the mountains;I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.I will give you hidden treasures,riches stored in secret places,so that you may know that I am the Lord,the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” (NIV)
Ginny Obergfell
Olean, NY
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Gail – Pitkin, La.
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:6 NIV
Katy from Snellville, GA
Psalm 112:7 (NIV84)
“He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.”
My mom has 3 brain aneurysms that were found yesterday and will see a surgeon Feb 27 for the next step.
Charlotte
Mesquite, Tx
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.Psalm 118:24
Kim, Oklahoma City
1 Thessalonians 1:3
We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christy, Whiteland,IN
“Therefore as the elect of God holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; bearing with one another and forgiving one another. If anyone has a complaint against another,even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
Colossians 3:12-14 NKJV
Vickie Heerema, Pella, Iowa
I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. Psalm 116:1-2